If you want to try agility training with your dog, the first thing you'll need to know is how to set up the props, which are called "obstacles." Obstacles are typically run in sets of three to five obstacles called "sequences." Several sequences put together are called a "course." When setting up obstacles, you need to plan for the amount of space necessary for your dog to do the sequence. Obstacles are made up of contact obstacles (seesaw, A-frame, dog walk, table), hurdles (tire jump, winged jumps, jumps without wings, double-bar jumps, triple-bar jumps), tunnels (open tunnel and closed tunnel) and weave poles.
Things You'll Need
- Paper
- Pencil
- Agility obstacles
- Place to set up obstacles
- Dog
Instructions
Design your first sequence on paper. Draw out a sequence that looks both challenging and fun, thinking about the line the dog must take through the obstacles.
Design your next sequence on paper, considering what objects you've already used and what the exit point is on the first sequence.
Continue to design sequences on paper until you have 15 obstacles for a course.
Set up your course according to your design. Leave about 10 to15 feet between obstacles so your dog can complete one obstacle and focus on the next.
Run your dog through the obstacles.